Sanford and Son Theme Song

1972-1977

This is really old.

Sanford and Son was an American sitcom that starred the late Redd Foxx as a 65-year-old junk dealer, and his son, played by Demond Wilson. In 2007, Time magazine included the show in their “100 Best TV Shows of All Time” list.

The theme song is entitled “The Streetbeater” and was composed by the great Quincy Jones. It was originally part of Quincy’s 1973 release You’ve Got it Bad, Girl, and was also released as a 7″ vinyl single. It also made it to the Quincy Jones Greatest Hits compilation album released in 1996.

Watch & listen

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme Song

1990-1996

A very different Will Smith.

The theme song of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air basically explains the whole context of the show. Will Smith is a street-smart teen, born and raised in West Philadelphia, who was forced to move to Bel-Air to avoid getting himself further into trouble in his hometown.

The song was written and performed by Will Smith himself, as “The Fresh Prince,” and music was composed by the legendary Quincy Jones. It was played in its entirety (2 minutes, 52 seconds) in some early episodes. It is also included in his Greatest Hits album, attributed to DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Townes) & The Fresh Prince.

The song is obviously entitled, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song lyrics

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I liked to take a minute
Just sit right there
I’ll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air

In west Philadelphia born and raised
On the playground is where I spent most of my days
Chillin’ out maxin’ relaxin’ all cool
And all shootin’ some b-ball outside of the school
When a couple of guys
Who were up to no good
Startin’ making trouble in my neighborhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said ‘You’re movin’ with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air’

I begged and pleaded with her day after day
But she packed my suite case and send me on my way
She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket.
I put my walkman on and said, ‘I might as well kick it’.

First class, yo this is bad
Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass.
Is this what the people of Bel-Air Living like?
Hmmmmm this might be alright.
I whistled for a cab and when it came near
The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror
If anything I can say this cab is rare
But I thought ‘Now forget it’ – ‘Yo homes to Bel Air’

I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8
And I yelled to the cabbie ‘Yo homes smell ya later’
I looked at my kingdom
I was finally there
To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air

Watch & listen